The Cross River State Government said it generated an estimated N17.4 billion from the 2025 edition of the Calabar Festivals and Carnivals.

A report made available to journalists by the Managing Director, Tourism Board, Cross River State, Ojoi Ekpenyong, said that the carnival further reinforced the event as one of Nigeria’s most impactful tourism and cultural platforms.

The figure, which covers revenue from accommodation, transportation, entertainment, events, food services and ancillary activities, Ekpenyong said reflected increased visitor turnout and spending during the 32-day festival period.

The 2025 carnival, which marked the 20th anniversary of Carnival Calabar, attracted thousands of domestic and international visitors and transformed the state capital into a major tourism hub during the yuletide season.

According to data, overall visitor inflow into Calabar in December 2025 was estimated at over 248,000, representing a 24 per cent increase when compared to the same period in 2024.

Ekpenyong added that between November 2025 and January 2026, Calabar International Airport recorded more than 12,000 inbound passengers, with 81 per cent arriving from other Nigerian states and about four per cent from the diaspora.

His report also put visitor expenditure on transportation alone at N10.6 billion, driven by increased travel demand across air, road and other modes of transport.

The hospitality sector also recorded strong performance, with hotels posting an average occupancy rate of 72 per cent, up from 68 per cent in 2024.

The data indicated that peak occupancy exceeded 95 per cent between December 16 and 30, while hotel booking revenue figure was estimated at N3.9 billion.

Over 26,000 room nights were recorded during the month, with food and beverage services generating an additional N2.05 billion.

The report also mentioned major hotels as accounting for more than 56 per cent of total accommodation revenue, while tourism sites also recorded a surge in patronage.

Ekpenyong maintained that over 370,000 tourists visited attractions such as Obudu Mountain Resort, Marina Resort and Kwa Falls between November and December 2025, representing nearly 80 per cent growth compared to 2023 figures.

The event and entertainment segment generated significant income, with ticketed events such as Funfest, Calabar Fashion Show and Queen of Humanity recording an estimated N130 million, while leading nightclubs collectively generated about N460 million during the festival period, according to the report.

Besides, the report emphasised that ancillary services, including logistics, car rentals, vending and creative merchandising, contributed an estimated N1.7 billion.

Attendance at major carnival activities, including the Cultural Carnival, Children’s Carnival and Parade of Bands was estimated at over 780,000 spectators, surpassing 2024 levels.

The carnival also recorded extensive global exposure, with more than 1.3 billion viewers across television networks and over 120 million online viewers through digital platforms.

“The revenue performance underscores the role of Carnival Calabar as a critical economic driver for Cross River State, supporting job creation, small businesses, cultural preservation and international tourism visibility.

“With sustained public and private sector support, the State Government projects that future editions of the carnival will deliver even higher economic returns and further strengthen Cross River’s position as a leading cultural tourism destination in Africa,” Ekpenyong said.